You have options to supplement Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplements, Part D drug plans, and perhaps continuation coverage through a former employer. I have a no-nonsense approach to giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement plans, and Part D drug plans. I am an unbiased resource, I work with major Medicare insurance companies and my service costs you nothing.
Original Medicare is divided into two parts, Medicare A (hospital) and Medicare B (outpatient).
PART A
When you enter the hospital, Medicare Part A is activated and there is a deductible due, for 2015 it is $ 1260.00. This is valid for a period of 60 benefits. Under Medicare Part A, the window of time for the Medicare Part A deductible is 60 days, which means that if you are admitted, then discharged, and readmitted to the hospital within those same 60 days, then you are the deductible for Medicare Part A applies, however, if you are re-admitted to the hospital after the original 60 days, then a new Medicare Part A deductible applies. Also, if you are in a continuous hospital stay for more than 60 days, from day 61 to day 90, there is a daily copayment of up to $ 315.00 per day. If you have more than 90 days, from day 91 to day 150, there is a daily copayment of up to $ 630 … in the last 60 days, which CMS calls “lifetime reserve” days, Medicare will run out and you be responsible for all costs after 150 days of continuous hospitalization. Then comes the skilled nursing facility, in a skilled nursing facility, CMS pays the first 20 days, after days 21 to 100 there is a daily copayment of $ 152.00.
MEDICARE PART B
The way B works is very similar to your traditional main health insurance, after the annual deductible ($ 147.00 in 2015), then you pay 80% and 20%. With a rule (according to Medicare assignment), which means CMS and your doctor agree on the cost. Your doctor can charge up to 15% over what Medicare allows, this is known as an “excess charge.”
It is important to add that there is no out-of-pocket maximum in Original Medicare. This is why most people will protect themselves with some kind of add-on plan, be it a add-on plan or a perk plan.